Issue Position: Law Enforcement & First Responders

Issue Position

Our law enforcement officers and first responders are the backbone of our community. They are on the frontline of many of the most difficult and often tragic issues that we face as a society and of late their jobs protecting and serving the people have become increasingly dangerous. Law enforcement needs our support in Springfield and I am strongly committed to providing it.

That support takes many forms. Legislators must partner with first responders to enact policies that empower them to address pressing community problems, the ongoing opioid epidemic being one of them. Substance abuse is projected to increase significantly in the face of COVID19 and law enforcement have unique needs in dealing with the problems this presents in the midst of a pandemic.

The state must also ensure that these brave men and women, including all of our veterans, have access to necessary medical and mental health services. Recent legislation seeking to provide peer counseling programs and suicide prevention awareness are in keeping with my priorities in office. I also believe that protecting their pensions, potentially through consolidation of local fire and police pensions, is of the highest importance. No one should ever fear that their retirement won't be there for them -- especially those who risk their lives to keep us safe.

We are blessed to have all three Sheriffs in the 25th District be men of integrity and effectiveness in keeping our communities safe and upholding our Constitution. Dwight Baird in Kendall County, Ron Hain in Kane, and James Mendrick in DuPage. I greatly look forward to learning from them and the many experienced first responders and local law enforcement of the the district during this campaign in order to reach a better understanding of what I and others could do to support their mission.

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